Measuring only 4 square blocks, McKinley Park has kept much of its natural charm and unbelievable setting over the years…making it a place that everyone can enjoy throughout the day.

McKinley Park is a haven for sports enthusiasts and during the spring and summer months you can always find a game of some sort going on here at the park. There are baseball fields, a soccer field, tennis courts, and horseshoe pits – all of which can be taken advantage of during the warm weather months in Sacramento. The park is also perfect for that afternoon picnic or barbecue.

The mile long trail circling park is perfect for that morning jog or afternoon stroll. There are also several smaller walking trails that wind through the park, giving you plenty of options if you’re looking for something active to do. If exercise isn’t what you had in mind, then you should take a tour of their beautiful rose garden.

Located on H Street, near 33rd, the rose garden in McKinley Park was created in 1928. This lush 1.5 acre garden contains over 1,000 rose bushes, rose trees, and blooming annuals. The rose garden is available for rent and has been a local favorite for weddings and other social events.

With over 275 acres of mature trees and grasslands, Discovery Park offers a plethora of activities for you to enjoy. Whether you're looking to have a picnic, go horseback riding, or just a leisurely stroll through the park - there is much to be found and "discovered" in Discovery Park.

Highly regarded as one of the best boat launches in Sacramento, many people spend the day fishing or just hanging out while taking in the beautiful scenery of the city. There is even an archery range for those who are into camp style sports. Picnic spots are plentiful, and on just about any day of the week you can see tons of families and couples enjoying a picnic beneath a shady tree.

If you’re looking for something a little more active, bring your bike and take a ride along the 32-mile Jedediah Smith Bike Trail which circles the park. Alternatively, you can enjoy a hike or walk on several smaller trails nestled throughout the park.

During the summer, take in one of their free summer concerts that attract not only local bands but some pretty famous ones as well. There is a total diversity of local acts that make their way to the park to entertain the hundreds of people that come out for a real taste of Sacramento.

Discovered over 100 years ago, millions of people have made this park a place where they can meet and greet, have lunch, enjoy the sun, and catch great fish. If you haven’t visited this park then it is time to get out there and join them. You’ll be glad you did!

Getting There

Discovery Park is relatively easy to find. Take the Richards Blvd exit from the I-5 and then head westbound till you reach the South entrance of the park.

Over 160,000 people already know that Crocker Art Museum is a hidden gem among art museums, but many more are figuring this out everyday. Since the opening of the museum in 1885, the mission of Crocker Art Museum has been to bring enthusiasm to the wonderful world of art.

The Crocker Art Museum offers diverse collections for locals and tourists alike to enjoy; they also have events and programs that are specific to California. The Californian art is one of the state’s premiere collections and many people enjoy coming to look at local artists and their creations. They also have world-renowned Old Master drawings as well as a significant amount of Asian inspired art and ceramics.

What most people love about the Crocker Art Museum are the 15 changing exhibits that happen annually. Every time you walk into this museum you see something new and interesting. Whether it is to highlight media, cultures, or time periods, it feels like you are visiting the museum for the first time. In 2010, they’re planning a large expansion that will triple the museum in size so that they can give back to the many visitors that grace their doors every year. It will also help to showcase their permanent collections and draw new people into the museum.

The Crocker Museum is also believed to be hotbed for hauntings and other paranormal activity. A few years back, a paranormal researcher spent some time there walking through with a person adept to EMF, Electromagnetic Fields. These people claim that they can feel energy from the person who is "haunting" a building or a home. More specifically, the researcher pinpointed a very strong EMF level in the East Wing…where he felt the presence of someone named Maggie or Eleanor. Turns out, Margaret Eleanor Crocker was the wife of Judge Crocker, the founder of the museum. Margaret was extremely spiritual as well as genuinely passionate about the arts. Many believe that Margaret’s ghost still resides in the museum today.

Museum Information

Currently their hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with Thursdays staying open till 9pm. The art museum is very inexpensive to visit at only $6.00 a ticket for adults. You’ll enjoy free admission on Sunday’s from 10am to 1pm. There is simply no better way to spend a Sunday morning.

Open year round from sunrise to sunset, Paradise Beach is a wonderful recreational area located in Sacramento, California. With beautiful scenic views, a gorgeous sandy beach, and plenty of California wildlife, Paradise Beach is a wonderful way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Some of the most popular activities at Paradise Beach include swimming and Skimboarding. You’ll enjoy spending a day skimboarding at Paradise Beach as the cove makes the perfect location for working on your skimboarding skills. In fact, Paradise Beach is so popular for its skimboarding that it is the location for the annual Skimfest competition. The first Skimfest took place at Paradise Beach Park in 1998.

Things To Do

Paradise Beach is part of the American River Parkway and is in close proximity to Glenn Hill Park. At Paradise Beach, sand dunes and coves make swimming fun however it is strongly urged that swimmers use caution due to the topography of the coves. Fishing is a popular sport that takes place at the beach as well.

If you would rather swim in a supervised environment, you might prefer to swim at the pool located at Glenn Hill Park, however many people enjoy the beauty and freshness of the pure California waters of Paradise Beach.

There is no fee to enter the park and there are no alcoholic beverages allowed on the premises. However, there are parking fees every day of the year, so make certain that you bring enough money to cover parking. Also, be sure to obey all rules and regulations that pertain to the park to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience.

Location

Paradise Beach is located at the intersection of Carlson Drive and Sandburg Drive. You can reach the park by taking U.S. 50 to Howe Ave. From the off ramp and heading north, take a left on Fair Oaks Blvd. Carlson Drive will be on your right.

Nestled in the heart of Sacramento is a gem worth more than gold, Old Sacramento State Historic Park. The park is actually comprised of various buildings that were of significant value during the Gold Rush period. There are more than fifty buildings that overlook the park, and the entire state park is twenty-eight acres. There are always plenty of activities scheduled for the landmark historic sites and there are many theatrical reenactments that take place as well. Many of the festivals and reenactments at Old Sacramento are free of charge and open to the public.

Old Sacramento also features a number of different museums that provide plenty of entertainment as well as educational activities. In fact, more than five million visitors come to Old Sacramento Historic Park annually, and it has also been said to be the best place for a first date.

Things to do

Along with touring the number of historic buildings and landmarks, the park features a number of bike trails. There are also many exhibits as well as educational programs that focus on the historical aspects of the park. There are plenty of places to shop at as there are over one hundreds stores in the Old Sacramento district. You’ll also enjoy the choice of dining from one of the delicious restaurants located in the area. Situated adjacent to the Sacramento River, many of the restaurants provide beautiful scenic waterfront views.

Entertainment choices abound with mystery theaters, plays, and other forms of art. You’ll enjoy taking a carriage ride through the streets or relax at one of the nightclubs. From chartered boat cruises to live jazz concerts, entertainment choices abound at Old Sacramento.

Getting There

To reach Old Sacramento State Historic Park take Interstate 5 to the J Street exit in downtown Sacramento. The J Street exit is the entrance into the park.

Nestled in the heart of Sacramento, the American River Parkway has been referred to as Sacramento’s Jewel. The parkway enjoys more than five million visitors each year and is one of the most beautiful wildlife preserves and recreation areas throughout California.

With over 5,000 acres, American River Parkway reminds those who are caught in the bustle of urban life, the beauty and majesty of nature’s finest exhibits.

Features

The American River Parkway is enormous and there are numerous parks and recreational facilities that comprise the Parkway. Stretching nearly endlessly for twenty-three miles, the smaller parks and boat ramps provide for numerous additional activities. The smaller parks that make up the American River Parkway are: the Ancil Hoffman Park, the Discovery Park, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Goethe Park, Howe Avenue, Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, Paradise Beach, Rossmoor Bar, Sailor Bar, Sarah Court, Upper and Lower Sunrise Recreation Areas, Waterton and S.A.R.A. Accesses, Watt Avenue, and William B. Pond. With the vast variety of parks and boating docks to choose from, the American River Parkway offers splendid scenic views and recreational fun.

Things To Do

At the American River Parkway you can enjoy the breathtaking views of wildlife and enjoy the beauty of California’s natural habitats. Flora and fauna abound, and there are plenty of paved trails that are perfect for hiking and exploring. There are also many picnic sites available, making the parks a great place to enjoy a special get together or birthday occasion. There are many opportunities for those who enjoy fishing and the boat ramps make easy access to enjoy the great American River. The American River is renowned for its White Water rafting. The Ancil Hoffman Park also features an award winning golf course.

Admission

Each park within the parkway has its own features as well as different admission policies and fees. However, the best alternative is to purchase an annual Park Passport for $40.00 (for vehicle) and receive free access to all of the parks. They also have low income park passes so that everyone may enjoy the beauty of the parks, regardless of income.

Sacramento, the capital city of California, was recently ranked as number 13 in a list of best cities for singles in the United States. It is not surprising, therefore, that the city offers some dating ideas for the romantically inclined.

Delta King Hotel

One of the first romantic ideas that comes to mind when thinking of romance is the Delta King Hotel. This converted steamboat cruised the Sacramento river year ago, but now is permanent anchored on the river front and has been converted into a hotel. The Delta King has one of the finer restaurants in the Sacramento area. There is also a dinner theater on board. There are several packages offered that include dinner, and tickets to the theater. One of the packages is called "The Romance Package." However, this might not be appropriate for first dates, as it includes overnight lodging at the hotel with turn down service and a continental breakfast in the morning.

Horsedrawn Carriage

Taking a page from New York City and the Capitals of Europe, Sacramento offers a romantic horse drawn carriage tour of the historic downtown area. The Classic Coach Carriage Service is one of the best in the city. They offer four different tours, but since they charge by the hour, they are quite open to letting you plan your own trip. The tours can be educational, but also proceed slowly enough to be conducive to a bit of romance as well.

Romantic Dining

There is always that old standby, the romantic candle lit dinner, to top off the evening. The area boasts many small and intimate restaurants where love can blossom and the palate be satisfied at the same time. If you really want to impress your date, a good choice is The Kitchen. Despite the rather pedestrian name, this restaurant is a treat.

Three or four times a week, The Kitchen features a six course dinner prepared in front of groups of dinners who sit around a large U shaped table and watch the food preparation while the head chef entertains them. One reviewer stated that the chef had missed his calling as a stand up comic. The food is excellent, and you are welcome to seconds and thirds of your favorites. The ambiance is one of elegance and romance. It is quite expensive, but comes highly recommended and most diners say the experience is well worth the additional cost. That's sounds like just the ticket to impress your date and maybe stir a bit of romance.

Day Spa

Another romantic date idea that might be a real icebreaker is a trip to one of the city's spas. One good choice is the Way Within Spa. It features such exotic treats as Swedish, deep-tissue, and Thai yoga massages. The Way Within offers several couples packages specifically designed for daters.

There are some people who would claim that with the right partner, any date is going to be a fun date. However, with a little bit of effort you should be able to find that special and unique date that will make your date not only fun, but also memorable.

There are tons of fun date ideas to be found in Sacramento, you just need to figure out where to go. To get you started, here are a few things to do in Sacramento if you're looking for a fun date.

Hot Air Balloon

One fun date idea that might stir a bit of excitement is a hot air balloon ride. Cheers Over California is one company offering hot air balloon rides in the Sacramento area. The balloons can be rented by the day or for shorter amounts of time. All that is needed is a place to set them up, and to land them. This is a great idea for a group date and not nearly as expensive as you might imagine. Soaring quietly over the country side suspended in the gondola and sipping some fine wine is not only fun, but romantic as well.

The Zoo

If you would rather have a date on dry land, head for the Sacramento Zoo. It is hard not to have fun at any zoo, but the Sacramento zoo is one of the best, featuring 400 animals including a Snow Leopard and Red Panda. The zoo has tours and lectures, and a very modest admission price.

Museums

Another fun choice for a daylight date is the California Railroad Museum. It is one of the largest of its type anywhere, and is very interactive with locomotives from the Gold Rush days to crawl over and look into. One well known travel rating service recently selected this attraction the #1 thing to do in Sacramento. There are also quite a few other museums that are worth your time such as the Crocker Art Museum and the California Museum for History.

Sacramento also has an NBA basketball team, and a varied and active night life. The choices are many for daters looking for exciting experiences, and you should never have to resort to anything that could not be considered fun date.